Eating out in Bucharest
– Useful tips for travellers

Tips at restaurants. How much?

Typically you leave about 10%, but if you're dissatisfied you can leave less or no tip, and if you're very pleased there's no limit. Usually tip is not included in restaurant menus, but is highly expected.

Do I expect to find menus in English?

There's no rule, but most popular Bucharest restaurants have them and if you're in doubt, just ask the waiter.

What is the Romanian traditional food?

Mainly Balkan cuisine, pretty heavy, but delicious! Specialities include
mici, sarmale, ardei umpluti
(stuffed capsicum) – all made with minced meat,
mamaliga
(polenta, made of corn flour, a wide variety of sausages, or more sophisticated recipes such as the venison dishes. Easier is to just go to a Romanian traditional restaurant and ask for the cook’s menu!

What is the Romanian traditional drink?

Romania is a wine producer, with sorts such as
Grasa de Cotnari, Galbena de Odobesti, Feteasca, Tamaioasa, Pelin, Busuioaca,
ranging from sweet liqueur wines (Porto like) to sourer and dry. You definitely need to taste the traditional
tzuica (or palinka)
which is a very strong spirituous drink made from the distillation of fruits (especially plums). You can also try local Romanian beers, such as
Ciuc, Silva, Ursus, Timisoreana.

Are there any oriental restaurants in Bucharest?

If you are into Lebanese, Turkish, Arabian food yes you will find plenty of them, from Shaorma and Kebab fast-foods to elegant and stylish restaurants.

Bucharest restaurant bookings

It is wise to call or for a restaurant booking, especially for the most popular restaurants. You will find the phone numbers in our pages. English will do just fine.

Are restaurants open all day in Bucharest?

Unlike other European countries you will find most of the Bucharest restaurants opened at full services all day long.

Organic, vegan, raw food and restaurants in Bucharest

There are a few choices for the organic oriented crowd or the vegetarians/vegans, check the places recommended by the locals. However, many Romanians fast during the week (on Wednesday and Friday) and before big religious holidays, and this means they eat no meat, eggs or dairy products, so there is great chance to find in almost every restaurant something perfectly vegan to eat (just ask the waiter if they have something…
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Top Restaurant places

Tell us who you are and we’ll get you to eat the best of Bucharest food! Find where to eat in Bucharest with recommendations and browse for the best Bucharest restaurants, discover Romanian traditional food like mici and sarmale in Bucharest Romanian traditional restaurants, taste great international dishes in the best Bucharest refined restaurants or try specific recipes in Bucharest oriental restaurants, Bucharest Lebanese restaurants or Bucharest Asian restaurants, it’s your call! Try Bucharest fish or Bucharest vegan, raw food or organic restaurants as well. If you are a gourmand, follow the tips of our locals for the best food experience in Bucharest! Or just grab a snack if you hurry to party all night! Bucharest fast-foods, snack bars and bistros are here too!